WGA Strike
Ah, the strike. People know if it, hear of it, talk of it. How many are living it? In the close knit entertainment community the effects of the WGA strike are being felt on many levels. Sure, there is the obvious “actors are out of work” aspects, but what people across the great plains of America don’t know or realize is the deeper impact that this is having on local communities and families.
The economy surrounding the LA landscape is supported by the entertainment community. It’s hard to fathom, but expert estimate’s peg the daily loss of revenue to between $20,000,000 and $25,000,000 A DAY. Some reports claim that the losses are aggregate - meaning that as each day passes the daily number rises with along with it. So on day 5 of the WGA strike, the loss may be $20,000,000, but by day 229 (which we are in now), the impact could be as high as $40,000,000 A DAY. Although the complexity of this claim is rather daunting, suffice it to say that as each day passes with revenue declining at the local coffee shop, the ability that your favorite espresso or cappuccino guy or gal has to do things like buy gas, get a new pair of sneakers, or splurge on an ice cream cone for their kids also diminishes. So whose hurt? Yes, coffee shop’s are hurt, as are managers, agents, lawyers, accountants. But so are tailors, mechanics, housekeepers, nanny’s, teachers, church’s, temple’s and yes, ice cream shops.
A bit dramatic? Some would argue yes, but that’s not my view. I see and hear, first hand, of the sacrifices that people are making now. At the start of the WGA strike many of us went into “conserve” mode. Let’s trim back, take it easy and wait to “see how it plays out.” Breakfasts with studio honcho’s turned into mid-day M & M chomping chat sessions, lunches became tea & coffee and Dinner has become replaced by drinks. However, that is the tip of the iceberg. Should I dry clean that suit? Probably not, it’s not been worn with the same degree of use. Come to think of it, I really don’t need to fill my car up as much because I’m not going to the valley to meet with NBC, CBS, ABC, CW execs.
Sure, it’s important and vital for Writers to get what they deserve. They work hard and without them, we really wouldn’t have much to talk about, let alone entertain with. When I first got in the entertainment business a very prominent agent said to me “it starts on the page.” He was right. We need the craftsmanship and brilliance of a wordsmith to give life to the virgin canvas of a script. TV, Featutre FILM or otherwise. But we also need the willingness, desire and motivation to acknowledge the worth that a writer brings to the party. Conversely, we also have to understand and respect the economics of free enterprise and the requirement (desire / need) to be profitable. That is, after all, what this fine country of ours is about. Capitalism.
But at what cost? I won’t profess to know the answer to this, but I can say that I don’t think it’s worth not being able to have a scoop of ice cream. It seems Un-American to me.
* FLUTIE *